Brickell

Avenue with an AppetiteWhen scene-driven dining like Cipriani forsakes Miami Beach for Brickell, it’s apparent the latter has arrived. No longer limited to power lunches, its culinary temptations soar along with its skyline. At Lippi, Zuma’s globe-trotting sister, Philippe Ruiz charms epicureans with his Spanish octopus carpaccio garnished with piquillo peppers. The posh restaurant’s gleaming décor, reminiscent of a bank, nods to the locale’s financial heritage. Gaston Acurio transports Lima’s touted gastronomy to Mandarin Oriental Miami with an outpost of La Mar. His menu feeds the city’s ceviche passion among indigenous dishes like anticuchos, Peru’s answer to kebabs. Meanwhile, Sam Gorenstein also celebrates his native South American shores at My Ceviche. Jacob Anaya, the Mandarin’s former toque, didn’t stray far for his new kitchen at OTC, where he recently launched bimonthly dim sum dinners. After looking around at other hip eateries like The Juice Spot by NBA wife Savannah James and Atelier Monnier for killer croissants, restaurateur Kevin Danilo knew he’d found a home for Batch Gastropub. “As the Southeast’s Manhattan, Brickell isn’t just one of the hottest neighborhoods in Miami, but in the country,” says Danilo, a longtime resident whose entrepreneurial ears perked up when hearing 200,000 hungry professionals descend there on weekdays. Ready for the crush, his concept dispenses premade, complex cocktails, so customers can enjoy mixology minus the wait. Local ingredients are central, too, with half his 34 beers hailing from Florida.

Skyscraper Style Until designer brands make their debut here, courtesy of Brickell City Centre’s retail partnership between Bal Harbour Shops and Swire Properties, Mary Brickell Village is tops for wardrobe needs. Tenant Joanna Paige, one of Miami’s only independent shoe stores, is a Brickell girl’s best friend. In addition to Marc Jacobs and Joie offerings, it features exclusive styles from Jeffrey Campbell and previews like this month’s for Elizabeth and James accessories. OFY caters to the underserved menswear category with Zanerobe’s Australian street wear and Daniel Wellington’s preppy watches with interchangeable Nato straps.

Condo MondoA real estate revival along Brickell’s bay front has spread inland. Aside from Swire’s multi-tower project that significantly alters the landscape, several residential projects are popping up by 2016. The 44-story Bond on Brickell goes with a British theme complete with a vintage red phone booth parked out front and Terry O’Neill photographs on the lobby’s leather walls. Residents have homes away from home in poolside cabanas with the works. Le Parc at Brickell’s 12-floor design by architect Luis Revuelta gives nature lovers treetop views of Simpson Park that are even more majestic while soaking in the rooftop deck’s whirlpool. A city within a city, NINE offers owners direct access to everyday amenities including a yoga studio and a dog park. They also can shoot down to Mary Brickell Village on private elevators or stroll through the massive pool deck’s maze of Zen gardens.

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